Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

Railroad Creek can be utilized by village residents and visitors for recreational purposes such as tubing and
sport fishing. However, according to Mr. Brent Wiersma Holden Village Business Manager and hquent
angler, most of the fishing in the Railroad Creek drainage is catch and release flyfihing and thus \.en few
fish are consumed. Very few people fish Railroad Creek and most fishing is reportedly done in the lakes
upstream of the Holden Mine. A vast majority of the fish brought to the Holden Village kitchen for
consumption reportedly originate from Hart Lake, approximately four miles upgradient from the mine. Hart
Lake is the largest lake in the area and is most accessible. Copper Creek is not expected to support
recreational activities due to its limited site and low water flow.
A sauna located next to Railroad Creek is used by village residents and visitors. Hydroelectric plant outflow
originates from Copper Creek upslope of the Site which is then tightlighted to the plant and then discharged'
to the Copper Creek diversion. A portion of Copper Creek diversion flow is channeled to a dipping pool for
the sauna facility.
The surfaces of the tailings piles are generally covered with 4 to 6 inches of gravel. The southeastern
portion and the northwestern portion of the tailings pile 1 is uncovered due to the relatively steep slope
angles. These areas have undergone revegetation wherever possible. The tailings piles are accessible to
recreational users. Villagers have bonfires on tailings pile 1 in the summer. Joggers and hikers utilize a
road which bqunds the tailings piles to the south. Particulate emission from the limited areas of exposed
tailings are generated under windy conditions. Some particulates generated from the erosion of the tailings
have accumulated at the base of slopes (i.e., Railroad Creek, etc.).
A baseball field is located immediately east of the Glacier Peak Wilderness boundary, approximately one
mile west of Holden Village. The field is covered with grass and is utilized intermittently in the summer
months only. The USFS and Ecology have indicated that they have heard anecdotally that the baseball field
was constructed utilizing tailings andfor mine waste rock material.
A lagoon area is located at the Site which collects seepage from the waste rock piles and mill building area
and is accessible to visitors.
A small USFS guard station is located near the road to the fonner Winston Homes site. USFS volunteers
are stationed here during the summer months. According to the USFS, the maximum length of service for
volunteers is approximately three seasons.
Holden Village drinking water is obtained from Copper Creek upstream of the influence of the mine.
Groundwater is not used in the area and it is highly unlikely that it would be used as a drinking water source
in the future because the groundwater flow is low compared with surface water flow in the area. In addition,
installation of a drinking water well in the vicinity of the mine or village would be difficult and impractical
due to the topography and geology of the area. The only drinking water supply well within the Railroad
Creek drainage is located within the alluvial materials at Lucerne, approximately 1 1 miles east of the Site at
the mouth of Railroad Creek. The well provides potable water for and is maintained by the USFS, which
utilizes the water primarily and intermittently during the summer months.
Future land use in the area is expected to be similar to current use. Because the site areais located within a
designated National Forest and Wilderness re< an increase in residents or other potential receptors is not
expected.
G:\w@abU)O~UIoIdn1-2\ri\74.d~~ 7-9
17693-005-019Uuly 27.1999,5:16 PMDRAFT FINAL RI REPORT